Making Inferences

The launch of the space shuttle Atlantis has been postponed while NASA evaluates a problem with the new robot arm on space station Alpha. The arm will be used to carry out the installation of a new U.S.-built airlock on the space station.

What can you infer from this paragraph? 

• The robot space arm is critical to the space shuttle's mission.
• The robot arm was poorly constructed.
• The space shuttle experiences frequent launch delays.
• The space program is very expensive.

Jill couldn't believe it was only June 15th. All of her friends from school had taken summer jobs, she didn't have brothers or sisters, and after a couple of weeks, television made a very poor companion. She had already finished three books and started a fourth, a great mystery that only made her more desperate to have something to do. Jill decided it was time for her to find something to do.

Which of the following can you infer from the passage above? 

• Jill will be bored for the rest of the summer.
• Jill is a very lazy person.
• Jill will look for a job.
• Jill hates the summers.

I love to go into my sister's room. On her shelf she has shiny trophies—gold and silver, tall and short, skinny and wide. All of the trophies have athletes on top swinging golf clubs. My favorite trophy is one that is as tall as my arm is long. "City Champion 2001" it says on its engraved front. It is beautiful and impressive!
What inference can the reader draw based on the information in the passage? 

• The person relating the passage is a younger sister.
• The sister is a very good golfer.
• The person relating the passage plays golf also.
• The sister is a professional golfer.

An INFERENCE is...

• A logical conclusion
• A guess based on evidence
• Both

It can be inferred that the 2 people are married.

• valid
• not enough evidence

Hudson hurried out of the house so he wasn't late for work. He wore overalls and carried a toolbox with wrenches in it. He hopped in his truck and drove off. The sign on his truck said, “Pipe Masters.”
What can be inferred?

• Hudson is an auto mechanic.
• Hudson enjoys his job.
• Hudson works as a plumber.
• Hudson is a car salesman.

 Nicole came out of the elevator in her apartment building. She ran to the curb and held up her arm to hail a taxi. When she hopped in, she said, “Please take me to 345 45th Street.”
It can be inferred that...

• Nicole's car is broken. 
• Nicole is going on vacation.
• Nicole is going shopping.
• Nicole lives in a big city.

 Everett held his father's hand as he crossed the busy parking lot. They walked into a grocery store. Everett's dad lifted him into the seat of the shopping cart. “Here,” said dad, “You can hold my shopping list.”
You can infer that...

• Everett had never been to a grocery store.
• Everett's dad does not shop often.
• Everett's dad needs help with the shopping.
• Everett is very young.

Braedon sat in the empty classroom and stared at the floor. It was 4:30pm and school had been over for half an hour, but he still had to sit there. He could over hear his teacher talking to the principal in the hallway about what had happened during class. He put his head in his hands and sighed.
What may the reader best infer from the passage?

• The principal and the teacher are making fun of Braedon.
• Braedon is in detention because he had acted out in class.
• The teacher is getting paid extra to oversee detention.
• Braedon is proud of his poor behavior.

I am now here to stay. Hateful divisions caused by the caste system force me to fight for the rights of all Indians in my homeland. The "untouchables," especially, are being denied their basic human rights. This cannot be tolerated.
          -The Journals of Mahatma Gandhi, India, 1915
What problem does Gandi face?

• The violation of human rights.
• Defending people who don't deserve to be defended.
• The caste system working according to plan.
• Having been away from India too long and allowed things to get out of control.